Colorado aspen updates
 

We were in Winter Park this weekend. Fall is definitely in the air.

The aspens are just starting to change in Winter Park.

Anyone have reports from other locations?

In the Utah Wasatch, our maples and oaks have changed. The aspens are just barely starting, but the colors are changing FAST! It will be interesting to see what kind of snow year we get this year.

Forecast is for snow mid week in the mountains. First of the season.

I hope this is not an El Niño year, as I think they are predicting.

As I understand it, El Niño would be the reverse of our last glorious winter when we had temperate weather in Denver combined with awesome snow in the mountains. Just the way I like it!

Fall is my favorite season, so I hope the snow doesn't fly too early.

I just returned from nine days in the Wind River Range, outside of Pinedale, Wyoming. No fall color up there yet, except for a few low shrubs in the forest floor and tundra. Weather was cool and unstable, including snow above 10,000'.

I don't know if colors typically come earlier there than in the Colorado Rockies, but not much happening so far.

P.S. My friends in Estes report that the trees in their yard are showing a first tinge of color, but generally not much change yet in RMNP. Looks like peak colors still a couple weeks out, if the weather holds.

We were in Vail and Aspen over Labor Day weekend, and our experience was the same as yours - the aspens were just starting to change - yellow edges.

Woke to 36 degrees and snow on the roofs and grass in Denver. And it has stayed cold all day. Just the unpredictability of weather in CO at this time if year. Ski resorts will start making snow soon.

No snow at our house in central Denver. Thank goodness. I am not ready! I did turn on the furnace this morning.

We actually had a few inches of snow in mid-August at the higher elevations of the Uinta Wilderness and Cottonwood Canyons. Of course, it melted.

Last night it was down to freezing at my home in Park City, elevation 6800. I pulled in all my flower pots to save them from the frost. I usually do this twice in Sept, after that - they are on their own!

Powder to the people

Dayle, all my plants outside know they are on their own from here on.

Report from Wednesday, two days ago.

Really excellent color on Kenosha Pass, on past Fairplay, and through South Park. I presume this means Lost Creek Wilderness would be beautiful right now.

East side of Wolf Creek Pass had a small amount of a color, but just starting. West side of the pass had almost no color at all yet.

Also not much color at Mesa Verde, but elk are starting to bugle.

Aspens are turning fast in the Utah Wasatch! We've had gorgeous, warmer than normal weather for the last week. Perfect for those last few grilled dinners on the deck!

Park City has resumed the "Autumn Aloft" balloon event this morning, after an absence of 20 years! What a treat.

Happy Fall everyone!

DH said there are more brilliant red trees in Winter Park this year. He's there now. Some trees are still green, like along the Fraser river. He thinks it will go another week.

Kenosha pass was almost at peak color and beautiful on Saturday. I couldn't believe the number of cars parked along Hwy 285. It was like a parking lot. Very pretty drive through South Park.

Drove over Kebler Pass on Friday and only a little bit of color but still a pretty drive.

The color on Cottonwood Pass was better, but best viewing will probably be within the next week.

More red leaves than I've seen in previous years. The weather was perfect for a fall drive.

It really is breathtaking, isn't it?

Not much Boulder way or Manitou Springs either.

So, Deb, where did you have lunch??

Sorry... We went to Celestial Seasonings for the tour and just missed getting on the next one. We had to wait 75 minutes, so we just ate there. It was actually very nice, we sat outside and had a nice bite to eat.

:)

If you haven't been to Chautauqua Park yet, Deb, put it on your list of must-see places in Boulder. It's spectacularly pretty, and unique. Has vintage cabins for rent that look adorable.

DH and I drove to Breckenridge via the Boreas Pass road yesterday http://www.allsummitcounty.com/sceni...oreas_pass.php,
had lunch there and drove back to Denver via Hoosier Pass and highway 285 through South Park.

The aspen at the summit of Kenosha Pass on highway 285 right before one drops down into South Park were fantastic as they were on the Boreas Pass road. More red and orange colors among the gold this year. They should still be good this weekend.

Thanks, marty. I'm headed to Winter Park today.

I love the red colors, especially. We don't often get a year like this.

Anyone know what makes them turn red sometimes? I thought it was the soil, but apparently not, since this year is so full of reds.

Reporting in from Winter Park. The aspen colors are spectacular, with lots of reds and oranges.
Bright blue skies, a few fluffy white clouds-- what a beautiful day.

A very few partly-green trees are left, at the base of the ski area. But the colorful show is up on the slopes.

Looks like this is peak weekend, from what I have seen.

Traffic was fairly slow going 70 West, from before Floyd Hill through Idaho Springs, and they weren't even blasting at Twin Tunnels. So plan a drive accordingly.

Tabernash, what would you expect the weather to be like in the Denver area the end of October?? It sounds like it would no doubt be parka weather.

Thanks.

It could be anything from 70 degree sunny days to snow. So keep checking with the weather services as your dates approach.

The nights are already getting cooler and lows in the 40s are predicted for next week (highs in the 70s).

barb, Denver weather has turned nasty for many Halloween nights. But then it will warm up again the next day.
Like our weather all year, you really never know. October can be warm or wintry.
Definitely bring layers.

The probability of parka weather in the Denver area is low but it is always a possibility. Depending on what you are planning to do - indoors, out ? - a good medium weight sweater with a good windbreaker or light jacket should be adequate. Add some light gloves, a stocking cap, and perhaps a scarf and you should more than OK. But if planning to go into the mountains, the parka should be on the list especially if near the end of the month.

Leaf report from our trip. We were in Telluride last Saturday - Wednesday. Not much color yet, leaves are just starting to change. Ditto for Dallas Divide / Ridgeway area. I'd guess peak viewing is still a week out. We were told this is great because oak and aspen will be changing at the same time. Normally the oak trees change after the aspen.

The area around Crested Butte was fantastic in the last couple of days. We hiked the Copper Creek trail on Thursday. This takes off from the Gothic Road and colors all along the road were astonishing. Locals saying this is one of the better years in quite a while. Lots of red and orange.

On Kebler Pass the east side is about peak color, with the classic view of Mount Beckwith causing a lot of cars to stop. But the west side of the pass is just getting started, much less color over there as of Friday.

McClure Pass was really excellent, however.

We spent Friday night in Vail and the colors there are at about peak right now.

To sum up: Front Range and North Central mountains seem to be hitting peak color this week. The San Juans and southern mountains will probably be there next week / weekend. In general things seem to be running a bit later than what I think as average. But the colors also seem more intense.

I-70 was slowed to a crawl for 5-6 miles westbound from the tunnel construction at 1:00 PM today (Saturday). We were glad to be heading east.

Thanks, Nelson.

Yesterday, it snowed at the Eisenhower tunnel and on Independence Pass and other high spots.

I guess winter is around the corner. Turning off the sprinkler system today and getting the last tree planted.

Tabernash,

Last night's weather may have ended the aspen display along the northern Front Range at least. In any case, we'll probably goo back up to RMNP next week to see the elk.

This is a good time to plant trees, but don't forget to winter water! (My wife is a 25-year Larimer County Master Gardener.)

BTW, we had dinner at Heck's last month for my birthday, our first time at the Devil's Thumb Ranch. I think you have recommended it, we had a very nice meal.

Nelson, glad to hear you liked Heck's. The more intimate Ranch House Restaurant is even nicer, but pricier. I love how they designed the Ranch, after it went through many years of near-neglect. The owners have now purchased Vasquez Inn, in Winter Park, with lodging and a restaurant. Winter Park needs that.

We love DTR. Friend's daughter had the most gorgeous wedding there last June. They really know how to take care of their guests. I think our DD is wanting to get married there, too, eventually.

Yes, thanks for the winter water tip. Luckily, the three trees (Colorado columnar blue spruce, Fastigiata) I'm putting in are right off the covered patio. There's a hose on the patio, protected from snow, so I will remember to give the trees a drink during the winter. Especially if it's as dry in Denver this year as last. (Although they are saying El Nino, which means lots in Denver and less in the mountains. I hate when that happens.)

Tabernash, I just looked at the Ranch House Restaurant menu. Looks excellent. We are mostly vegetarians (we were completely vegs for 25 years but have slipped off the wagon a bit lately), but there are several items that sound great.

Will definitely keep it in mind next time we are in the area. Thanks.

I'm planning to head up Poudre Canyon on Friday for a hike, will see what happened to the aspen leaves up there. I suspect this weather will have mostly finished them off.

Have a nice hike. I hope the weather cooperates. We never know in Colorado, right?

The Ranch House is our go-to place for special celebrations, and when we have guests visiting. Tell them in advance you need a veg meal, and they should accommodate. The bar area fireplace is a great place to sit, and have hors d-oeuvres, too.